Government Affairs Attorney Marisol Saenz Joins Gardere’s Austin Office
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP announces that administrative law attorney Marisol Saenz has joined the firm’s Government Affairs Practice in Austin, Texas.
Saenz joins Gardere from the Texas Department of Insurance, where she provided counsel to the commissioner of insurance and staff on compliance and regulatory matters, legislative and policy issues, and litigation. Her legal advice covered all phases of insurance regulation, including formation and licensing of regulated entities, major holding company transactions, examinations, financial solvency concerns and receiverships. Saenz also oversaw high-profile, complex federal civil and criminal litigation matters involving receivership estates as counsel to the insurance commissioner in his role as receiver.
Focusing her practice on counseling clients in insurance and other regulatory matters, Saenz provides representation before various state agencies and the Texas Legislature. In a release, the firm said she is proficient in analyzing matters under the Texas Insurance Code, Public Information Act, Open Meetings Act and Administrative Procedures Act, and is experienced in rulemaking and the legislative process.
“We are very excited to add Marisol’s insurance and overall administrative law expertise to the Firm’s Government Affairs team,” says Kimberly A. Yelkin, executive partner in Gardere’s Austin office. “Marisol’s proven track record of success will be an asset to our clients and will further advance our team’s influence in the Texas public policy process.”
Prior to working at the Texas Department of Insurance, Saenz served as a staff attorney for the Texas Water Development Board. She provided counsel regarding the financing of water projects across the state and planning for Texas’ future water needs, which required significant collaboration with federal, state, and local governmental entities and officials, in addition to members of the public and various parties of interest. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in 1999 and her juris doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2004.
“I am thrilled to join the Gardere team,” says Saenz. “It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to expand upon my administrative law experience as part of the Firm’s highly recognized Government Affairs Practice.”
